Writers Open Mike

Every Tuesday night from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m., the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore in Vineyard Haven hosts a Writer’s Open Mike night, a continuation of the popular gathering begun in March. The event is run and organized by Hannah Vanderlaske and Jess Dupon from the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School. Writers interested in reading their work should arrive at 7 p.m. sharp to put their names on the list. Readers will be given five minutes apiece; all genres of work are accepted and encouraged.

This month, the Island’s premiere food magazine, Edible Vineyard, celebrates its one-year anniversary by teaming up with Featherstone Center for the Arts for an exhibition, titled The Art of Food. The show features work by over ten Island artists, ranging from photography to food-themed painted rocks by Cammie Naylor to Nina Carelli’s food-inspired etchings.

Food Yoga

Alpaca Birthday Challenge

Island Alpaca has announced a Birthday Challenge, inviting the public to predict which female in the herd will be the first to give birth this season. Guess closest to the date and time of birth, as well as the gender of the newborn cria, and win a $100 gift certificate to the Island Alpaca farm. For hints, information on alpaca gestation and details on the contest, visit islandalpaca.com.

Our Island Club this week announced the distribution of their 2009 donations and scholarships. More than 160 Island organizations will share in over $36,000 in donations.

This year, scholarships will be established for the Permanent Endowment Fund for higher education, two high school vocational programs (auto mechanics and building trade), the Vineyard Nursing Association, Featherstone Center for the Arts and Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ early childhood development program.

Tartan Day Exhibit

April 6 was National Tartan Day, and to help mark the occasion an exhibition of distinguished Scots and Scottish Americans opened at the Vineyard Haven Library this week. Designed by Max Bosman of Vineyard Haven, the exhibit features 20 people of Scottish heritage, including several who had ties to the Vineyard. The exhibit will remain up through the month of April.